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September 12, 2001

City parents fear son killed in second tower

2001-09-12

By Nolan Clay

Staff Writer

David Rice could see the Statue of Liberty from his new 104th-floor

office near the top of the World Trade Center in New York City.

Tuesday morning, he called his parents in Oklahoma City after a

hijacked airliner hit the twin tower next door to tell them he was

OK but couldn't yet get out.

"He was as calm as a cucumber," his dad, Hugh Rice, recalled. "He

said, 'I will take care of myself. Don't worry.'"

His parents haven't heard from him since, and now fear he is among

the dead.

Minutes after their conversation, a second airliner collided with

his tower, exploding in a fireball on the floors below his office.

The 110-story building collapsed an hour later.

"We're just realistic. I think it would be an absolute miracle," his

mother, Cindy Rice, said from their home in north Oklahoma City,

where friends and members of their church gathered to comfort them

and to pray.

She stared away, then said, "I just can't believe this. I just

absolutely can't believe this. ... I don't know how I feel about it.

I'm still in shock. ... We hope we find out who did it."

Hugh Rice, an attorney, said of the terrorists, "We need to do

something to send them a message that we won't be intimidated. ... I

think we should stand behind our leaders."

David Rice, 31, was an investment banker for Sandler O'Neill &

Partners, an investment, banking and financial advisory firm with

offices in Tower Two of the World Trade Center.

He had moved to Manhattan from Chicago just this year.

He was a graduate of Bishop McGuinness Catholic High School, where

he was voted most likely to succeed. His father said the honor came

because David threw memorable parties, hiring bands to play in

abandoned buildings.

"He was full of spit and vinegar. ... He had that mischievous spark

to him," Hugh Rice said.

Both parents praised their son's relationship with God.

"David was in a good spot spiritually," said his father, who already

is thinking about a memorial service for his son.

"It doesn't look good."

The father recalled how David flew home for Labor Day, making a

spur-of-the-moment trip just so they could play golf together.

"Cindy and I are just happy that we had him for (almost) 32 years,"

said Hugh Rice, tears in his eyes. "And we won't be bitter or full

of regrets."

Cindy Rice, who works at Christ the King Catholic Church, said, "I

have an incredible faith, and that's what's going to get us through

this."

Other Oklahomans also worried Tuesday about their relatives,

including Gov. Frank Keating.

When the governor heard of the attacks he started calling his

daughter, Kelly, but couldn't reach her.

Kelly Keating works for the U.S. Chamber of Commerce in Washington,

across from the White House.

Kelly eventually reached her father.

"She called me and was crying. I told her to go home; to get away

from that building," the governor said.

CONTRIBUTING: Diane Plumberg Clay in the Capitol Bureau